Government

Volatility has hit Markets hard in the lead up to the first round of the French Elections. The stock market was sold off to the tune of 1.6% in yesterday’s trade, whilst a scramble to buy Yen against Euro was evidenced as a risk off strategy in currency markets.

One thing for certain in markets is, uncertainty creates volatility.

Monday morning in early Sydney trade will be less than pleasant for traders and participants jump at shadows as exit polls reveal who the front runner/s are.

The big fear is that far-right National Front candidate Marine Le Pen will win, since she has run on a platform to divorce France from the euro — an action that could threaten the future of the entire euro zone. As it stands now, there is a good chance Le Pen will emerge from the first round pitted against one of three candidates: far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, conservative Francois Fillon and centrist Emmanuel Macron, a former economy minister.

Buckle up for some extreme volatility over the next month. The runoff election is set for May 7.

Over the next few days, you may see the risk off trade continue, however, remember the Trump victory. All the value was in the 2nd phase trading. Buy the rumour, sell the fact.

Crisis ? What Crisis ? ……..Supertramp 1975 !!!

Italians will goes to the polls on Sunday, December 4, to vote on whether to back reforms of the country’s constitution.

Why is the referendum important?

Firstly, the reforms are significant, so significant, some have argued, that if they are approved by the electorate, they would represent the birth of Italy’s third republic.

Secondly, Italian PM Matteo Renzi has staked his future on the vote, saying he would quit if he is unable to secure a victory for his constitutional changes. That could have wider implications for the European Union, because it would open the door to the possibility of the Eurosceptic Five Star Movement getting into power, who have made no secret of wanting to hold a referendum on Italy leaving the Euro.

The reforms propose drastically diluting the power and size of the senate and replacing elected senators with representatives from the regions.

The other main pillar of the reforms is to rebalance the power of the regions, bringing more areas under the control of central government and removing any duplication.

So, What happens if Renzi does quit?

The paradox is a referendum that is seeking to bring stability of government to notoriously volatile Italy could in fact plunge it into a fresh crisis.

As it stands, Italy’s unemployment rate was 11.4 percent in August and has debts of 132.7 percent of GDP, the second highest level in the EU, after Greece.

Italian banks have massive bad debts, and may need a significant injection of funds. Italy is in a vulnerable position.

This referendum could lead Italy to another, that being, should Italy remain in the “Euro”?, which in turn, could have a contagion effect on the entire Eurozone.

This does not bode well for the Eur/Usd. Sub 1.0000 prices should follow. The USD is King for now.

Is it all too soon? I know right……We are still getting over Brexit and Trump’s victory.

Well Frexit could potentially break up the European Union. Brexit opened the gates for unexpected change and it looks like the people have spoken.

Marine Le Pen the leader of the Front National Party has proposed a referendum if she were to win power in the 2017 elections. Support for the bloc is declining across many of the 28-member-states with referendums and elections opening up across the continent.

Referendums have rocked the EU over the last few months with Brexit, the Dutch refusing an EU treaty with Ukraine and the coming votes in Italy and Hungary. The floodgates will open in the 28 member union, that’s 11 more currencies to trade if the Euro$ breaks up.

I might be showing my age, but this is back to pre 1999, and the volatility and uncertainty that goes hand in hand. I forsee dark clouds accumulating in the not too distant future, watch this space.

What will happen to the USD on a Trump victory.

On election day, the Forex Markets are open, as well as the Futures Markets, the NYSE and the NASDAQ. However, that’s not the problem, the elections results will become apparent during the Asian time zone.

There is a window between New York close and Tokyo opening affectionately known as the “ Twilight Zone” where volume represents only 2 percent of maximum turnover. As a result, any transactions in that period are vulnerable and can hit the market awkwardly. Let alone any major news event, such as, a lopsided or unexpected election result. So, hold onto your hats. Wednesday Asia time could be similar to a “Brexit style” and “Flash Crash” currency moving Market all rolled into one. The market hates uncertainty.

Trump Victory and the USD

A few months ago nobody gave Donald a snowflakes’ hope in hell of winning the election. Today however, is a different story. It’s neck and neck.

We have already a selloff in stocks globally in the lead up to the election. Be certain, there will be more volatility to come in both currency and stock markets. Trade agreements worldwide could be in jeopardy with a Trump win as he wants to renegotiate NAFTA and scrap the TPP – most certainly harm developing nations who export to the U.S.

Uncertainty almost always spells negativity in markets. Initial reactions to a Trump victory would see an exaggerated USD and stocks selloff globally. Markets tend to react in a “shoot first- ask questions later” fashion, especially if the results happens in the “Twilight Zone”.

That said “fortune follows the brave”. There is always opportunity in the contrarian approach to overreacting moves in markets.

Trade selection is the key component in these exaggerated events.

Either way, Hillary or Donald, brace yourself for years of uncertainty.

The markets are focused on next weeks’ NFP numbers in the U.S as the “make or break” decision for a much anticipated rate hike.

Is this really the confirmation the Fed needs to pull the trigger?

Surely not, there are bigger fish to fry.

The markets (and the Fed) are looking for excuses to do nothing until the election results are in.

Talk about 2 underwhelming Candidates. Which way will America vote.

Hillary, with all her experience in political office, can she deliver on her economic policies of Economic Growth, Fair Growth and Long Term Growth. You would think she already has Foreign Policy down pat, despite Donald’s call of the commencement of WW3 in Syria should Hillary win.

Donald, on the other hand, says he will create 25 million new jobs over 10 years. Create a pro-growth tax plan, an America first trade policy and an unleashed American energy plan. Not to mention boosting growth by 3.5% per year on average.

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